HIGH SCHOOL BOOK REPORT

Student’s Name: Camille Camarista Date: 11/18/22 Report. No

Introduction
1. Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
2. Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
3. Genre/Type of Book: Novel, Romance novel, Historical Fiction, Psychological Fiction,
Domestic Fiction

Body
1. When/Where book takes place:
a. 1950s, 80s, future years b. Midtown Manhattan, Los Angeles

2. Who/what is the book about? The novel tells the story of the fictional Old Hollywood star
Evelyn Hugo, who at age 79 gives a final interview to an unknown journalist, Monique Grant.
List principle characters
Evelyn Hugo Celia St. James
Harry Cameron Elizabeth M. Grant/Monique Grant

3. Summarize Plot/Climax
What happened in the book?
This wildly popular story revolves around reclusive Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo. She chooses
an unnamed reporter, Monique Grant, to tell her life story. Evelyn recounts the golden age of
Hollywood, her rise to fame, and her seven marriages revealing breathtaking secrets and lies.
Evelyn Hugo was a prolific actress in the 50's who was married seven times during her long
career and had one daughter with her fifth husband, Harry Cameron. Harry Cameron is a major
character in the novel, and was a highly-esteemed film producer of Hollywood's Golden Age,
known for his work from the 1950's spanning to his death in 1989. He was described to have
"keen taste" and to be "an actor's producer, if he picked up a project, you knew you wanted to
be involved" as well as "one of Hollywood's favorites". Evelyn’s other husbands are Ernie Diaz,
Don Adler, Mick Riva, Rex Noth, Max Girard and Robert Jamison. With her stellar career, Evelyn
has been nominated for the Oscar her four times, but she won only once, in 1981, for her movie
All for Us. Monique Grant, the journalist hired by Hugo goes on her own journey while learning
about the actress and as the book goes on, Grant seeks to discover why she was chosen to
document Hugo’s life. The reason is later revealed, in a twist leaving readers on edge. This
novel uncovers more stories to tell, with all of Evelyn Hugo’s 7 husbands, there is only one
person who she truly loves and it’s none of her 7 husbands. Celia St. James was one of the most
famous actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age, and considered one of the most talented of that
generation. She is also a main character and the primary love interest of this novel. Evelyn Hugo
and Celia St. James have been together for 41 years. They first met on the set of their movie in
1959, when Evelyn was 21 and Celia was 19 or 20. Unfortunately they were separated for five
years until they met again in the bathroom at the 1967 Academy Awards. They have been
romantically in love in secret because of the media back then due to their sexuality. Sadly for
these two lovers, Celia passed away at the age of 61 while Evelyn at 79; having her final days
and her final interview with Monique. Evelyn's death is reported as an accidental overdose. As
the story progresses where Evelyn tells her life story to Monique, Monique posted her
biographical introduction on Vivant, eventually revealing that the true love of Evelyn's life was
none of her husbands, but Celia St. James. Evelyn says that her story ends with the death of
everyone she has ever loved. Evelyn says that “Evelyn Hugo” was someone who never really
existed, it was a person that was made up so others would love her.

C. Conclusion
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, loss, sacrifice, and
tragedy. The story is also filled with impeccable, engaging moments and mysteries. The novel
dives into Evelyn’s life story, where she reveals the truths and lies. Where we quickly learn that
there is much more to her than meets the eye. As the title focuses on Evelyn’s 7 husbands, it
doesn’t actually focus on the husbands except for her one true love who is Celia. “When you’re
given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen.
The word doesn’t give things, you take things.” A line from the book itself, the message conveys
that what many opportunities that can change your life brings you into, you must do everything
to make happen. You must have the courage and bravery.

D. Evaluation
My own opinion on the book itself is that I actually enjoyed reading it. The longer the story
progresses, it reveals more secrets from the protagonist. Some scenes in the book might trigger
some people since it has a strong content. It has only 400 pages and you can finish the book by
itself in one day. Also, me as a person who loves books or films that has a plot twist, this book
has one. I did not see it coming, I was surprised when the plot twist got unveiled in the end.
Overall, the book is very good and I would like to recommend it to people who loves reading
these type of book genres.